Letting go of academic burnout: Embracing creative freedom through art and metaphor

When I reflect on my time in academia, I realize I was drawn to the sense of order it promised—the structure of syllabi, assignments lined up week by week, and the anticipation of uncovering new insights. It was like opening a chest full of jewels, each course a treasure map. I loved the ritual of buying fresh books and the promise of discovery they held. But as the weeks stretched on, that initial thrill often dulled, and by the end of the term, I’d feel drained, eager to move on.

After completing my Ph.D. at the University of Chicago, I hit a wall. Years of academic rigor had taken their toll. Books, once my companions, became unbearable. Words on a page blurred into meaninglessness—even cereal boxes triggered a visceral reaction of burnout.

That summer, I gathered every draft, note, and stack of research tied to my dissertation and hauled them to a massive recycling bin in Berkeley. Standing atop the ladder, I dropped seven years of work into oblivion. It was liberating and terrifying all at once. Had I just erased something essential, some future key I might need?

Yet, amidst the doubt, there was clarity. I wasn’t throwing away knowledge—I was making space.

Space for something alive.

For the first time in years, I allowed myself to follow what felt nourishing: I shaped clay in pottery classes, lost myself in the flow of creative writing, and painted bold strokes of color that didn’t need footnotes. In the creative arts, I found freedom—a life-affirming spaciousness I hadn’t even realized I was missing.

Teaching brought a new puzzle. On one hand, I was enamored with the beauty and spontaneity of creative expression. On the other, I still loved the process of learning and sharing knowledge. They felt like two separate worlds. Could they ever come together?

Over time, I discovered that learning is a creative act. Human beings are wired to learn not through rote memorization, but through the dynamic power of metaphor and image. Long before we constructed formal languages, we communicated through song, gesture, and the elements of nature. As Harry S. Broudy reminds us, “Men sang before they spoke… they learned the language of water, fire, and clouds before they produced more formal and sophisticated language systems.”

Our deepest learning happens in this metaphoric realm.

By letting go of rigid expectations, I uncovered something deeper—an expansive space where creativity and learning intertwine. It’s a space where inspiration flows, where knowledge isn’t just stored in the mind but felt in the body and soul.

Are you ready to let go of what’s no longer serving you and step into the freedom of creative flow? Let’s explore what’s waiting for you in the space beyond the ordinary.